Legendary American-African music icon Jeffrey Daniel has called on Africans in the diaspora to reconnect with the continent by visiting regularly or relocating permanently, describing Africa—particularly Nigeria—as a place of identity, healing and renewed purpose.
Daniel, a founding member of the iconic soul-funk group Shalamar, made the call during a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja.
According to a press statement e-signed by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Daniel said his decision to relocate and live permanently in Nigeria was driven by a deep desire to reconnect with his ancestry and contribute to Africa’s rebuilding.
Reflecting on his participation in the fifth edition of the Badagry Door of Return Festival organised by NiDCOM, Daniel described the experience as one of joy, healing and spiritual reconnection. He said walking through the Door of Return was a powerful contrast to the painful history of the Point of No Return, symbolising a reconnection with his roots and a renewed sense of purpose.
The renowned dancer and R&B pioneer noted that Nigerians in the diaspora continue to excel globally in sectors such as technology, sports, science, music and innovation, particularly in the United States and Europe. He added that about 60 per cent of Nigerians abroad are recognised as top-performing students, underscoring the country’s intellectual strength and resilience.
Daniel urged Africans in the diaspora worldwide to return home and invest their skills and resources in rebuilding the continent, stressing that it was time to reconnect fully with the motherland. He described Nigerian culture as vibrant and intact, highlighting its rich languages, food, traditions and diversity.
Using a vivid analogy, he said Nigeria should never be abandoned because of its challenges, likening the country to a luxury car that may have dents but remains valuable and worthy of repair, not rejection.
Welcoming him, Dabiri-Erewa described Daniel’s return to Nigeria and Africa as symbolic and historic, noting that he is the first global celebrity of his stature to return and choose to remain in the country as a resident.
She said his decision aligns with NiDCOM’s mandate to encourage Africans in the diaspora and friends of Nigeria to reconnect, reinvest and contribute meaningfully to national development. According to her, Daniel’s journey goes beyond entertainment, touching on identity, heritage and the power of cultural reconnection.
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Dabiri-Erewa added that his presence sends a strong message to Africans worldwide that Nigeria remains a place of belonging, opportunity and renewal, despite its challenges. She reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to using culture, creativity and diaspora engagement as strategic tools for national development and global rebranding.
Daniel, 70, is globally recognised as a pioneer of street dance and R&B music. He is credited with teaching Michael Jackson the backslide dance move, later popularised as the moonwalk, and co-choreographing Jackson’s iconic music videos Bad and Smooth Criminal. He remains active in the global music scene and continues to perform with a reformed Shalamar lineup.
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